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Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”

April 28, 2026 / 01:28

This episode discusses the upcoming court case between Elon Musk and Sam Altman regarding OpenAI's transition to a for-profit model. Key topics include Musk's demand for over $150 billion in damages, his desire to remove Altman from the board, and the implications of this legal battle for both parties.

The conversation highlights Musk's reputation as a villain and the potential impact of the trial on OpenAI's future. The hosts speculate on whether Musk will settle before or during the trial, considering his motivations and the stakes involved.

They also touch on the initial nonprofit goals of OpenAI and Musk's departure from the organization, which has led to his current grievances. The discussion reflects on the public perception of both Musk and Altman as they prepare for this high-profile legal showdown.

TLDR

Elon Musk is suing Sam Altman over OpenAI's for-profit shift, seeking $150 billion and a board removal.

Episode

1:28
00:00:00
Elon Musk and Sam Alman are headed to court this week over OpenAI's conversion
00:00:04
to a for-profit entity. Musk is asking for over $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft and for Altman to
00:00:11
be removed from the company's board. You know, most of the odds are Musk will not
00:00:15
win. But I can't believe they didn't settle cuz my only thing is Musk loves
00:00:19
this. He's already a villain. And when you start wrestling with a pig, the pig
00:00:23
likes it and you get filthy. And so I don't think it's good for open AI. My
00:00:28
initial reaction was that Musk has more to lose and that he'll settle right as
00:00:32
the trial is beginning or right after it starts because >> Oh, okay. Tell me why.
00:00:37
>> The basic premise is this is supposed to be a nonprofit focusing on protecting
00:00:41
the public from AI. Okay. He then my understanding is he wanted to control it. And then when Altman said no, he
00:00:48
said then I'm taking my ball and I'm leaving. And then when it converted to
00:00:51
become the leading AI platform in the world, he went [ __ ] crazy. It's also
00:00:55
a duel of their reputations. Now, Elon's full-on villain now, right? So, it'll be
00:01:00
interesting to see how the jury thinks of him. As much as they'd like to paint
00:01:03
Sam as this oily liar, I don't think it's sunk in with most people. I think
00:01:08
they all know Elon Musk is a giant [ __ ] >> He owns space, he owns EVs, he owns 180
00:01:14
character messaging application, but because he [ __ ] up and sold the best corner of AI, he now wants it back.
00:01:20
>> He wants everything. Yeah. He's this greedy [ __ ] Yeah.

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Episode Highlights

  • Musk vs. Altman: A Legal Showdown
    Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Sam Altman for over $150 billion, seeking major changes in leadership.
    “Most of the odds are Musk will not win.”
    @ 00m 13s
    April 28, 2026
  • The Stakes of Reputation
    The trial is not just about money; it's a duel of reputations between Musk and Altman.
    “It'll be interesting to see how the jury thinks of him.”
    @ 00m 58s
    April 28, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • Musk loves this. He's already a villain.
    Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”
  • When you start wrestling with a pig, the pig likes it and you get filthy.
    Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”
  • Elon Musk is a giant [ __ ].
    Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”
  • He wants everything. Yeah. He's this greedy [ __ ].
    Kara Swisher on Musk vs. Altman: "Start Wrestling with a Pig…Get Filthy”

Key Moments

  • Musk's Demands00:06
  • Villain Narrative00:19
  • Reputation Duel00:55
  • Greed Exposed01:22